Rakugo (literally "fallen words") is a form of Japanese verbal entertainment.
The lone storyteller (rakugoka) sits on stage, called kōza. Using only a paper fan (sensu) and a small cloth (tenugui) as props, and without standing up from the seiza sitting position, the rakugo artist depicts a long and complicated comical (or sometimes sentimental) story.
The story always involves the dialogue of two or more characters. The difference between the characters is depicted only through change in pitch, tone, and a slight turn of the head.